Teresa Maxwell-Conover (born Teresa Ryan;
September 26, 1884 – September 1968) was an American actress in
Broadway
Broadway may refer to:
Theatre
* Broadway Theatre (disambiguation)
* Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
** Broadway (Manhattan), the street
**Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...
productions in the early 20th century. She was in motion pictures until the early 1940s, and was sometimes credited as Theresa Maxwell Conover. She was from
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville ( , , ) is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the 28th most-populous city in the United States. Louisville is the historical seat and, since 2003, the nominal seat of Jefferson County, on the Indiana border ...
.
Early years
Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky,
Maxwell-Conover was the daughter of Reverend Dan Ryan,
an Episcopal
or Methodist minister. She had a brother, Dolph Ryan.
When she was a child, Maxwell-Conover desired to be an actress enough that she performed on a stump to an audience of chickens and ducks on her uncle's property.
Stage career
With no acting experience, Maxwell-Conover went to New York seeking to become an actress. A personal visit with the author and manager of ''The Purple Lady'', which was then being presented, led to her portraying Peggy Proudfoot in that play a few weeks later.
Maxwell-Conover was the leading lady in a stage production of ''The Purple Lady'' in New Orleans in 1899.
She acted in Nashville, Tennessee, beginning in 1900 and continued there at least through 1902.
Maxwell-Conover's New York City debut came at the
New Theatre in the four-act play, ''Nobody's Daughter'', in February 1911. As "Mrs. Frampton" she was complimented by a reviewer in ''
The New York Times
''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...
'' for having rendered "a beautiful performance." He described her as "an actress of unusual distinction in appearance and manner, dresses exquisitely, and plays with great naturalness and simplicity a role somewhat indefinitely outlined by the dramatist."
She was in the company of Gertrude Elliott in the
Charles Frohman
Charles Frohman (July 15, 1856 – May 7, 1915) was an American theater manager and producer, who discovered and promoted many stars of the American stage. Notably, he produced ''Peter Pan'', both in London and the US, the latter production ...
produced comedy, ''Preserving Mr. Panmure'', in February 1912. Written by
Sir Arthur Wing Pinero, the play was presented to audiences at the
Lyceum Theatre. Previously it enjoyed an extended run at the
Comedy Theatre
The Harold Pinter Theatre, known as the Comedy Theatre until 2011, in
London, England
London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a major s ...
.
![Teresa Maxwell-Conover 001](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ee/Teresa_Maxwell-Conover_001.jpg)
In September 1912 she was in the first
David Belasco
David Belasco (July 25, 1853 – May 14, 1931) was an American theatrical producer, impresario, director, and playwright. He was the first writer to adapt the short story ''Madame Butterfly'' for the stage. He launched the theatrical career of m ...
production in New York City. ''
The Governor's Lady
''The Governor's Lady'' is a 1912 play written by Alice Bradley, directed by David Belasco and produced by Belasco and his son-in-law David Elliott. It is known for its unconventional set.
Production
After previews in Philadelphia and Washingto ...
'' was staged by the
Republic Theatre. Also in the Belasco company were
Emma Dunn
Emma Dunn (26 February 1875 – 14 December 1966) was an English actress. After starting her acting career on stage in London, she became known for her works in numerous films and Broadway productions.
Career
Emma Dunn appeared onstage in ...
and Emmitt Corrigan. Written by Alice Bradley, it had a very intense and emotional third act. The stage's impression of reality was heightened by a fine reproduction of a
Childs Restaurant.
Childs Restaurants
Childs Restaurants was one of the first national dining chains in the United States and Canada, having peaked in the 1920s and 1930s with about 125 locations in dozens of markets, serving over 50,000,000 meals a year, with over $37 million in as ...
was a business chain
A chain store or retail chain is a retail outlet in which several locations share a brand, central management and standardized business practices. They have come to dominate the retail and dining markets and many service categories, in many pa ...
in New York City. In 1912 there was a Child's at 8th Street and Broadway. New York Times
''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid d ...
December 17, 1912. Page 23. The
troupe
Troupe may refer to:
General
*Comedy troupe, a group of comedians
*Dance troupe, a group of dancers
**Fire troupe, a group of fire dancers
*Troupe system, a method of playing role-playing games
*Theatrical troupe, a group of theatrical performers
...
traveled to the
National Theatre in January 1913.
''To-Day'', a three-act play given at the 48th Street Theatre in October 1913, concentrates on the "worship of money" in the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
. Maxwell-Conover, as "Mrs Garland", and
Emily Stevens, are applauded by a reviewer for their acting. The same observer thought the production was an "indecent, vicious play", particularly because of its "utterly malicious insinuations".
On December 15, 1913, Maxwell-Conover was at the Lyceum in ''The Cassillis Engagement'' with
Alison Skipworth
Alison Skipworth (born Alison Mary Elliott Margaret Groom; 25 July 18635 July 1952) was an English stage and screen actress.
Early years
Skipworth was born in London. She was the daughter of Dr. Richard Ebenezer Groom and Elizabeth Rodgers, an ...
in the cast of players. This was a four-act comedy by
St. John Hankin.
The
Maxine Elliott Theatre
Maxine Elliott's Theatre was originally a Broadway theatre at 109 West 39th Street in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City. Built in 1908, it was designed by architect Benjamin Marshall of the Chicago-based firm Marshall and Fox, ...
hosted a comedy by
Salisbury Field
Edward "Ned" Salisbury Field Jr. (February 28, 1878 – September 20, 1936) was an American author, playwright, artist, poet, and journalist.
Biography
He was born on February 28, 1878 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Edward Salisbury and Sarah Mill ...
entitled ''The Rented Earl'' in February 1915.
Lawrence D'Orsay
Lawrence D'Orsay (1853 – 1931); some sources (Lawrance D'Orsay), was a British born stage and film actor.
Biography
He was born in 1853 as Dorset William Lawrance to solicitor John W. Lawrance. He was educated at Merchant Taylors' School and ...
, Maxwell-Conover, and Evelyn Carter were among the actors in a show which was presented twice daily except for Sunday. The
farce
Farce is a comedy that seeks to entertain an audience through situations that are highly exaggerated, extravagant, ridiculous, absurd, and improbable. Farce is also characterized by heavy use of physical humor; the use of deliberate absurdity o ...
tells about a group of social climbers who try to persuade an English nobleman to assist them in their activities. In April 1915 Conover-Maxwell was in a production of ''The Natural Law'' by
Charles Sumner
Charles Sumner (January 6, 1811March 11, 1874) was an American statesman and United States Senator from Massachusetts. As an academic lawyer and a powerful orator, Sumner was the leader of the anti-slavery forces in the state and a leader of th ...
at the Republic Theatre, at 209 West 42nd Street, in midtown Manhattan. The play changed venues in September 1915. It moved to the York Theatre at 116th Street near
Lenox Avenue
Lenox Avenue – also named Malcolm X Boulevard; both names are officially recognized – is the primary north–south route through Harlem in the upper portion of the New York City borough of Manhattan. This two-way street runs from F ...
.
John Cort had recently added the York to his chain of playhouses which offered Broadway attractions to audiences at "popular" prices.
Conrad Nagel
John Conrad Nagel (March 16, 1897 – February 24, 1970) was an American film, stage, television and radio actor. He was considered a famous matinée idol and leading man of the 1920s and 1930s. He was given an Academy Honorary Award in 1940 and ...
was in the cast when the play came to the Loew's Lexington Theatre, 571
Lexington Avenue
Lexington Avenue, often colloquially abbreviated as "Lex", is an avenue on the East Side of the borough of Manhattan in New York City that carries southbound one-way traffic from East 131st Street to Gramercy Park at East 21st Street. Along it ...
in October.
Emily Stevens was the
leading lady
A leading actor, leading actress, or simply lead (), plays the role of the protagonist of a film, television show or play. The word ''lead'' may also refer to the largest role in the piece, and ''leading actor'' may refer to a person who typica ...
in a
Broadhurst Theatre
The Broadhurst Theatre is a Broadway theatre, Broadway theater at 235 West 44th Street (Manhattan), 44th Street in the Theater District, Manhattan, Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Opened in 1917, the theater was designed ...
production of ''The Madonna of the Future'', which premiered in late January 1918. Maxwell-Conover acted the part of "Mrs. Van Duzen". Near the final curtain of the three-act comedy Maxwell-Conover spoke to Stevens, saying "You are so charming: you mean something! I don't in the least know what you mean, but that is what makes you charming." During the first two acts Stevens' character resolves to bear a child without being married. She announces this to her neighbors in
Tarrytown, New York
Tarrytown is a village in the town of Greenburgh in Westchester County, New York. It is located on the eastern bank of the Hudson River, approximately north of Midtown Manhattan in New York City, and is served by a stop on the Metro-North ...
. The audience was shocked by the frankness of the language employed by the characters. Written by playwright
Alan Dale
Alan Hugh Dale (born 6 May 1947) is a New Zealand actor. As a child, Dale enjoyed theatre and rugby. After retiring from the sport, he took on a number of occupations, before deciding to become a professional actor at age 27. Dale subsequentl ...
, the dialogue "was brilliant". Her neighbors are further startled when Stevens delivers her baby, which comes to light in the comedy's second portion. In the third act she discovers that she loves the child's father and would rather marry him than see him wed someone else.
A critic was complimentary of the play's two sets which were representative of what was then a new art of "residential decoration" being employed on Broadway. The entire cast proved skilled in speaking their lines. The reviewer's overall impression was positive. He wrote that the production reminded him of the finest he had witnessed at the
Morosco Theatre
The Morosco Theatre was a Broadway theatre near Times Square in New York City from 1917 to 1982. It housed many notable productions and its demolition, along with four adjacent theaters, was controversial.
History
Located at 217 West 45th Stree ...
.
In ''Madonna of the Future'' Maxwell-Conover wore a
frock
Frock has been used since Middle English as the name for an article of clothing, typically coat (clothing), coat-like, for men and women.
Terminology
In British English and in Commonwealth of Nations, Commonwealth countries the word may be us ...
of brown satin and lace. The skirt was draped low in ''zouave effect''. The front panel was composed of brown mesh lace threaded in gold. The bodice was made of lace in back and satin in front. The waistline featured brown ribbon velvet. The costume was completed by a string of brown wooden beads and a flat
sailor hat
Operation Sailor Hat was a series of explosives effects tests, conducted by the United States Navy Bureau of Ships under the sponsorship of the Defense Atomic Support Agency. The tests consisted of two underwater explosions at San Clemente Island ...
.
![Clifton Crawford 001](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/32/Clifton_Crawford_001.jpg)
She was in plays which toured various cities by 1919. One of these was ''My Lady Friends'' (1919) with comedian Clifton Crawford. Maxwell-Conover starred with
William Hodge
William Thomas Hodge (November 1, 1874 – January 30, 1932) was an American actor, playwright, and theatrical producer. He was born to Thomas Hodge and Mary Anderson. He appeared in the original 1904 Broadway hit play ''Mrs. Wiggs of the Ca ...
in ''Fixing Sister'' in
Fitchburg, Massachusetts
Fitchburg is a city in northern Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The third-largest city in the county, its population was 41,946 at the 2020 census. Fitchburg is home to Fitchburg State University as well as 17 public and private e ...
in December 1926. She continued to play in theatrical productions after her motion picture career hit full stride in the 1920s. In 1928 she acted the role of the mother in ''Your Uncle Dudley'' while playing in a society comedy called ''
The Last of Mrs. Cheney''.
Films
Maxwell-Conover debuted as a film actress as "Mrs. Layton du Roc" in ''Just Sylvia'' (1918). She supported
Elaine Hammerstein
Elaine Hammerstein (June 16, 1894 – August 13, 1948) was an American silent film and stage actress.
Early life
Elaine Hammerstein was born on June 16, 1894 in Manhattan, the daughter of Jean Allison Hammerstein and opera producer Arthur Ham ...
in ''
The Daughter Pays
''The Daughter Pays'' is a 1920 American silent drama film directed by Robert Ellis and starring Elaine Hammerstein, Norman Trevor, and Robert Ellis.Goble p. 730
Cast
* Elaine Hammerstein as Virginia Mynors
* Norman Trevor as Osbert Gault
* ...
'' (1920). Hammerstein played a woman who strives to maintain her family's finances despite having a mother who squanders money.
Constance Talmadge
Constance Alice Talmadge (April 19, 1898 – November 23, 1973) was an American silent film star. She was the sister of actresses Norma and Natalie Talmadge.
Early life
Talmadge was born on April 19, 1898 in Brooklyn, New York, to poor p ...
was showcased in ''
Polly of the Follies
''Polly of the Follies'' is a 1922 American silent romantic comedy film starring Constance Talmadge, Horace Knight, and Thomas Carr. It is presumed to be lost; all that is known to have survived is a trailer. An intertitle from the trailer stat ...
'' (1922). Maxwell-Conover is cast as a
Long Island
Long Island is a densely populated island in the southeastern region of the U.S. state of New York (state), New York, part of the New York metropolitan area. With over 8 million people, Long Island is the most populous island in the United Sta ...
society woman in the
First National Pictures
First National Pictures was an American motion picture production and distribution company. It was founded in 1917 as First National Exhibitors' Circuit, Inc., an association of independent theatre owners in the United States, and became the count ...
comedy.
''
Brief Moment
''Brief Moment'' is a 1933 American pre-Code drama film directed by David Burton and starring Carole Lombard and Gene Raymond. It is based on the 1931 play of the same name by S. N. Behrman.
Plot
Rodney Deane (Gene Raymond) is a rich playboy ...
'' (1933) is a
Carole Lombard
Carole Lombard (born Jane Alice Peters; October 6, 1908 – January 16, 1942) was an American actress, particularly noted for her energetic, often off-beat roles in screwball comedies. In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked Lombard 2 ...
and
Gene Raymond
Gene Raymond (born Raymond Guion; August 13, 1908 – May 3, 1998) was an American film, television, and stage actor of the 1930s and 1940s. In addition to acting, Raymond was also a singer, composer, screenwriter, director, producer, and decorat ...
movie based on a play. It was released by
Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production studio that is a member of the Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group, a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment, which is one of the Big Five studios and a subsidiary of the mu ...
. Maxwell-Conover is a supporting actress who plays the part of "Mrs. Deane". She played Mrs. Archer in the 1934 film ''
The Age of Innocence
''The Age of Innocence'' is a 1920 novel by American author Edith Wharton. It was her twelfth novel, and was initially serialized in 1920 in four parts, in the magazine ''Pictorial Review''. Later that year, it was released as a book by D. Apple ...
.
Her later film appearances include ''
Gallant Lady'' (1934), ''
The Mighty Barnum
''The Mighty Barnum'' is a 1934 film starring Wallace Beery as P.T. Barnum. The movie was written by Gene Fowler and Bess Meredyth, adapted from their play of the same name, and directed by Walter Lang. Beery had played Barnum four years earlier ...
'' (1934), ''
Mississippi
Mississippi () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States, bordered to the north by Tennessee; to the east by Alabama; to the south by the Gulf of Mexico; to the southwest by Louisiana; and to the northwest by Arkansas. Miss ...
'' (1935), and ''
Free and Easy'' (1941). Maxwell-Conover had uncredited parts in several other movies.
Personal
She was married to Wall Street broker John Thompson Conover III.
[
She enjoyed outdoor sports and activities, especially horseback riding.
]
Filmography
Sources
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Notes
References
External links
*
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Maxwell-Conover, Teresa
1884 births
1968 deaths
American stage actresses
Vaudeville performers
American film actresses
American silent film actresses
American women comedians
Actresses from Louisville, Kentucky
People from Richmond, Indiana
20th-century American actresses
20th-century American comedians